her sorrows, if he were to hire two rooms, and take her for nis house-keeper. He accordingly engaged a chamber and garret in the yard adjoining the wool-hall, in the parish of St. George's Colegate; and, that his pupils might not have to pass through the sleeping-room of his house-keeper, he appropriated the chamber to his own use, and the garret to hers. This arrangement, however, he made with reluctance; for, from having lived in garrets almost all his life, he had a strong predilection in favor of these upper stories. The easiness of his temper soon reconciled him to the change. Fransham's diet was chiefly bread and butter, and téa; when the butter proved bad, he threw all of it into his fire. His house-keeper once presumed to suggest to him, that perhaps it would be better to give the butter away, than to burn it. "What," said he, "offer that to a fellowcreature which I cannot eat myself! No, I should think myself a monster were I to be guilty of such an insult. If, however, you know of any useful purpose to which bad butter may be applied, I will inform you the next time I happen to have any, and you shall have it, and be welcome." Mrs. Smith continued with him till she found a situation which seemed more advantageous; and, as he had no further occasion for two rooms, he removed, to enjoy the felicity of a garret in Elm-hill lane. "A garret," he would say, "is the quietest room in the house; there are no rude noises over head; all is calm and serene; nothing is to be heard, but the delightful music of the rolling spheres.' About 1803 Fransham became acquainted with Mr. Stark, an eminent dyer, father to Mr. Stark the landscape painter. At this gentleman's he was received with frank hospitality, enjoyed the pleasure of free conversation, and had the use of a good English library. Mr. Stark likewise placed two of his sons under his instruction, and from that time Fransham usually spent his Sunday evenings with this gentleman and his family. He had a great aversion to dogs. "Dogs," he would say, are noisy, mobbish, and vulgar, and therefore I dislike them." If he entered a room where there was a dog, he requested that he or the dog might be permitted to retire. Next to the horse, his favorite animals were cats: he would place them upon his knees, and talk and fondle with them as affectionately as a 66 mother with her infant. He had a dislike to very young children; he considered them as interrupters of conversation, disturbers of quiet, and frequent, though innocent, offenders against decency and good manners. Towards the latter end of 1809, Fransham was attacked with a cough, which increased with the severity of winter. In January, 1810, he was too enfeebled to take exercise, and, finally, kept his bed. On the morning of the first of February he requested his nurse to remove him from his bed to his chair: he told her that he should exceedingly dislike to be buried alive, and would therefore be obliged to her, when she perceived him without motion, to shake him well, then place him by a large fire, within the scent of a hot apple-pye; if these expedients did not succeed, to ask some beautiful woman to sit by his side; and, if this experiment failed, then she might safely conclude him dead. In a few minutes after these directions, his nurse, not hearing him cough, approached his chair and found he had expired. He was buried in the church-yard of St. George's Colegate, Norwich, and the following inscription is on a stone to his memory: "M. S. Joannis Fransham, qui plurimis annis in hâc urbe Græcas Latinasque Litteras, necnon Mathematicam, studio exploravit, præceptis illustravit." When Fransham died he was upwards of eighty. His physiognomy was highly intelligent, and somewhat resembled that of Erasmus. In his latter years he suf fered his grey hair to hang loose about his shoulders. When he walked the street, he wore his hat drawn over his eyes, and constantly looked downwards, with his hands most commonly behind him, except in very cold weather, when he usually folded his arms in front of his breast. In conversation on his favorite subjects, language, metaphysics, and mathematics, he always appeared cheerful and animated. He was remarkable for industry, and accustomed himself to rise at five o'clock in the morning during summer, and at six in the winter. He ate very moderately of animal food, and abstained from all strong liquors: he consequently enjoyed sound health, and retained the perfect use of his faculties to the last moments of life. Until within a few days of his death he continued to give instructions to his pupils. As a mathematician, he was eminent rather for the solidity, than the extent, of his knowledge. His love of accuracy made him an enthusiastic admirer of the ancient mathematicians; or, perhaps more properly, his early attention to these writers made him accurate. He had a higher veneration for Euclid than for Newton, and preferred the Elements of Geometry of the former, to the Principia of the latter. He departed from the celebrated doctrine of fluxions; and pronounced the "Analyst of Bishop Berkeley to be one of the finest specimens of reasoning among the productions of the moderns. Of Algebra, or the analytic art, he entertained a very moderate opinion. He was well satisfied with the grounds and methods of operation employed by algebraists for the solution of simple and quadratic equations; but the resolution of cubics by Cardan's rule, by sir Isaac Newton's method of divisors, or by the different modes of approximation, he regarded only as mechanical tricks, or arts of legerdemain, for the purpose of displaying skill in quirks and quibbles, to the injury of pure mathematical science. Fransham's manuscript writings,-his beloved five volumes,--came into the possession of Edward Rigby, esq. They were left in a state fitted for the press, but are destined, probably, to remain unpublished. They consist chiefly of dissertations and essays on the philosophy of the ancients, and cruelty to animals; satirical discussions on politics, manners, and trade; odes, eclogues, and rhapsodies. A sixth volume contains formulæ for curious calculations; problems on the application of algebra to geometry, and different tables of numbers. Thirty smaller manuscripts, in the possession of Mr. Stark, are miscellanies of a lighter nature; criticisms, dialogues, and essays on temporary affairs. Fransham, in his latter age, often regretted that his early circumstances had prevented him from marrying. His life was blameless; and the few particulars of it here credibly placed before the reader, afford materials for reflection as well as amusement. He was not ashamed of being or appearing poor,-went without shoes rather than he would run into debt, -lived upon a farthing a-day rather than he would beg a halfpenny,-and thus Of the many strange customs which prevailed among our medieval ancestors, and which, of late years, have rapidly fallen into desuetude, that of" barringout," as it is called, appears the most irreconcileable to the habits and sentiments of modern times. To a scholastic disciplinarian of the metropolis, the custom would appear outrageous, and almost incredible. It reminds us of the Roman Saturnalia of old, when masters, for a certain time, were subservient to their servants and slaves. Hutchinson, in his History of Cumberland, when speaking of the parish of Bromfield, thus adverts to the practice of Barring-out: "Till within the last twenty or thirty years it had been a custom, time out of mind, for the scholars of the free-school of Bromfield, about the beginning of Lent, or, in the more expressive phraseology of the country, at Fastings Even, to bar out the master; that is to say, to depose and exclude him from his school, and keep him out for three days. During the period of this expulsion, the doors of the citadel, the school, were strongly barricadoed within; and the boys, who defended it like a besieged city, were armed with bore-tree or elder pop-guns. The master, meanwhile, made various efforts, both by force and stratagem, to regain his lost authority. If he succeeded, heavy tasks were imposed, and the business of the school was resumed and submitted to; but it inore commonly happened that he was repulsed and defeated. After three days' siege terms of capitulation were proposed by the master, and accepted by the boys. These terms were summed up in an old formula of Latin laconic verses, stipulating what hours and time should, for the year ensuing, be allotted to study, and what to relaxation and play. Securities were provided by each side for the due performance of the stipulations; and the paper was then solemnly signed both by master and scholars." Brand, when noticing the subject, in his "Popular Antiquities," quotes the above passage from Hutchinson, and says it was 66 a custom that, having now fallen into disuse, will soon be totally forgotten." Brand was certainly mistaken in this assertion. In Cumberland the custom still prevails, and is not likely soon to be forgotten. To my certain knowledge it has taken place at Scotby, Wetherall, Warwick, &c., within the last ten years, and I understand that the practice is still occasionally enforced. I have been informed by a young friend, who left Scotby school but a few years ago, that he had been frequently engaged in these affairs. stated that, when the master was barred out, the written orders for the holidays, &c., were put through the key-hole of the school-door, with a request for the master to sign them, which, after some hesitation, and a few threats, he generally consented to. On one occasion, however, he forced his way through the window, but was instantly expelled, vi et armis, and his coattail burnt to pieces by squibs and blazing paper. He Brand speaks of the custom as being very prevalent in the city of Durham, and other places in the country; as Houghton-lespring, Thornton, &c. Dr. Johnson, in his life of Addison, also mentions the custom in the following passage: "In 1683, when Addison had entered his twelfth year, his father, now become dean of Lichfield, committed him to the care of Mr. Shaw, master of the grammarschool in that city. While he was under the tuition of Shaw, his enterprise and courage have been recorded in leading and conducting successfully a plan for barring out his master, a disorderly privilege which in his time prevailed in the principal seminaries of education, where the boys, exulting in the approach of their November 3. ST. WINIFRED'S DAY. The legend of St. Winifred, and her martyrdom, may be consulted in the Every-Day Book. The following particulars relating to St. Winifred's Well are chiefly derived from Mr. Pennant's account of Holywell. The origin of this useful stream is discovered at the foot of the steep hill beneath the town of Holywell or Treffynnon, to which it gave the name. The spring boils with vast impetuosity out of a rock, and is confined in a beautiful polygonal well, covered with a rich arch, supported by pillars. The roof is most exquisitely carved in stone. Immediately over the fountain is the legend of St. Winifred, on a pendent projection, with the arms of England at the bottom. Numbers of fine ribs secure the arch, whose intersections are coupled with a sculpture. Some are mere works of fancy, grotesque figures of animals, but the rest chiefly allude to the Stanley family. This building, and the chapel over it, rose from the piety of that great house, which left memorials of its benefactions: there are besides some marks of the illustrious donors; for example, the profile of Margaret, mother to Henry VII., and that of her husband the earl of Derby, cut on the same stone. The wolf's head is the arms of the earls of Chester; it is enclosed in a garter, in respect to Sir William Stanley, Knight, Justiciary of North Wales. The tun with a plant issuing out of it is a rebus, the arms of his wife Elizabeth Hopton, allusive to her name. This proves that the building was erected Gentleman's Magazine. before 1495, in which year sir William lost his head. The other badges of the same house are the stag's head, the eagle's leg, and the three legs, the arms of the Isle of Man. Over one of the lesser arches, on each side of the well, are the dragon and greyhound, the supporters of the arms of England during the reigns of Henry VII., and part of that of Henry VIII. The first was borne by Henry VII., as a badge of the house of Tudor, which derived itself from Cadwalader, last king of Britain, who bore on his ensign a red dragon. Henry, in imitation of him, at the battle of Bosworth carried on his standard a red dragon painted on white and green silk; which afterwards gave rise to the office of rouge-dragon among the heralds. On one side of the wall that supports the roof was painted the tale of the tutelar saint, at present almost defaced over it is inscribed, in honorem sanita Wenefrede, V & M. In another wall is an elegant niche, in which stood a statue of the virgin Mary. It is said that there was another statue of St. Winifred, which is probable, as Isabel, countess of Warwick, left to St. Winifred, in 1539, her gown of russet velvet. Over this spring is a chapel of the same date with the other building: a neat piece of Gothic architecture; but in a very ruinous state. The east end is a pentagon, and had five windows with an elegant tracery. The top arched and crossed with neat slender ribs. It had been open to the body of the chapel, but the fine arch which formed the division has been bricked up. On one side of the body is an oblong recess, divided from it by three arches, supported by pillars, and within is a window impending over the well. The whole length of the chapel is fifty-two feet, the breadth is twenty. The recess is twenty-six feet long, and eight broad. The roof is neat wood-work. The chapel is the property of Daniel Leo, Esq. No mention is made in the Domesday-Book of either chapel, church, or well; yet townships of less note are named; such as Bruneford, Caldewte, and others. Mr. Pennant thinks the legend of St. Winifred was known previous to that survey; for the very name of Holywell is Saxon, probably bestowed on it before the Conquest on account of the imputed sanctity of the well. The spring is certainly one of the finest in these kingdoms, and flings out about twenty-one tons of water, or eighty-four hogsheads in a minute. It never freezes. In respect to its alleged equality of water in droughts, or after the greatest rains, this must be placed among the vulgar errors; for it has been discovered that the variation is very great; there is a decrease in summer of more than one-third, in droughts of still more, and after violent rains the increase is in like proportion, In former times the sacred stream hurried to the sea unconfined by the busy manufactures. During the reign of pilgrimages nothing but the corn-mills, the property of the monks, found employ for its waters. The valley from Basingwerk Abbey to St. Winifred's Well is very beautiful, bounded on one side with hanging woods and open on the other; and with the advantages of a brisk wind the greatest part of the year, and a rapid stream, it is visited with the usual diseases of the country. The length of the stream from the fountain to the marsh is one mile and 234 yards, and in its progress it turns wheels for eleven large manufactories, giving employment to about 1500 men, women, and children, creating fortunes for many, and laying the foundation of a town of considerable magnitude. After the death of St. Winifred, the waters of her well became almost as sanative in reputation as those of the pool of Bethesda. The votive crutches, barrows, hand-barrows, and other proofs of cures, to this moment remain pendent over the well. The resort of pilgrims of late years has considerably decreased, yet in the summer a few are still to be seen in the water, in deep devotion, up to their chins for hours, sending up their prayers or performing a number of evolutions round the polygonal well, or threading the arch between well and well a prescribed number of times. The bathing well is an oblong, thirtyeight feet by sixteen, with steps for the descent of the fair sex, 'or of invalids. Near the steps, two feet beneath the water, is a large stone, called the wishingstone. It receives many a kiss from the faithful, who are supposed never to fail in experiencing the completion of their desires, provided the wish is delivered with full devotion and confidence. On the outside of the great well, close to the road, is a small spring, once famed for the cure of weak eyes. The patient made an offering to the nymph of the spring, of a crooked pin, and sent up at the same time a certain ejaculation by way of charm; but the charm is forgotten and the efficacy of the waters lost. The well is common. Lilly, in the History of his Life and Times, relates "that in 1635, sir George Peckham, knight, died in St. Winifred's, having continued so long mumbling his Pater Nosters and sancta Winifreda ora pro me, that the cold struck into his body, and after his coming forth of that well he never spoke more. In the "Travels of Tom Thumb, we read, "a man would be inexcusable that should come into North Wales and not visit Holywell or St. Winifred's, and hear attentively all the stories that are told about it." November 4. h. m. 5 20 7 15 4 45 6 40 November 4, 1740, died William Hucks, Esq., who had long sat in parliament, for Abingdon and Wallingford. He was an opulent brewer in London. Mr. Noble believes he was the person taken notice of when mounted on a beautiful hunter, by Louis XV. The monarch enquired who he was; a witty nobleman replied, "Sire, un chevalier de malt." It is probable that the wit never disturbed Mr. Hucks, for he was seldom moved by what he saw or heard. He loved to at tend a lawyer's club in or near Chancery Lane, where he remained perfectly quiescent, but delighted to hear the glibtongued tribe talk of their rebutters and sur-rebutters. He was brewer to the king's household, and is reported to have been very honest and very loyal. That he might make the latter appear most conspicuous, he placed the statue of the king George I. upon Bloomsbury steeple, on which a wag wrote, The king of Great Britain was reckon'd before The head of the church by all good Christian people, But his brewer has added still one title more To the rest, and has made him the head of the steeple. SCOTTISH PLOUGHING IN SUSSEX. A Scottish gentleman in the Lothians sent one of Small's ploughs as a present to an agricultural friend in Sussex; and dispatched with it a stout, active, intelligent young ploughman, named Sandy Penny, to instruct the peasants on his Sussex friend's farm in the mode of using this valuable implement. Sandy began his labors, but found that when his master was not present his instructions were received with contempt; and himself, his plough, and his country, treated with scorn and derision. For a time he bore meekly all the taunts of his fellow-servants; but Sandy was not a philosopher, for his patience became exhausted, and he resolved to lay his case before his new master, and request permission to return home."What are your grievances, Alexander?" said his master.-"T'weel, sur (replied Sandy), they are mair than mortal man can put up wi'. No' that I hae ony objection to yoursel'; and na muckle to the kintra; for I'm no sic a colt as prefer the sour east wuns, that meet us as the skeigh o' day on our bare leas, to the saft south wasters and loun enclosures here; but ye're folks, sur, are perfect deevils, and keep tormenting me like a bink o' harried wasps. In short, sur, I am maist demented sick o' the place, and I just, wi' your wul, wish to gae hame." Here Sandy made his best bow. "But we must not (said his master) allow ourselves to be beaten off the field so easily. Pray, Alexander, have you ever tried your powers at boxing?"-" As for that (replied Sandy), I'm no muckle used to fetching: but I doubt na I could gie as gude as I got."-" Well (rejoined his master) "I will give you a crown piece if you will give the first person who insults you a hearty box on the ear." Sandy for a few seconds consulted the physiognomy of his master's countenance; and having, satisfied himself that he was in earnest, replied, "Weel, weel! sur! wi' ye're leave, I'se try my han';" and, scraping his foot on the ground as he made his bow, he withdrew, with a determination to reduce his master's precepts into practice. the An opportunity soon occurred; and in a regular set-to Sandy Penny gave his antagonist a beating to his heart's content. It wrought like a charm; plough was soon generally approved of on the farm; and, several others having been obtained from the north, Sandy's master, in calculating his annual profits, soon found the advantage of the argu mentum ad pugilium, and the real value of a Scots Penny. |